{"id":2319322,"date":"2024-08-05T10:19:57","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T14:19:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pierce-county-executive-says-funds-better-spent-on-housing-not-a-tent-city-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-05T10:28:54","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T14:28:54","slug":"pierce-county-executive-says-funds-better-spent-on-housing-not-a-tent-city-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pierce-county-executive-says-funds-better-spent-on-housing-not-a-tent-city-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Pierce County executive says funds better spent on housing, not \u2018a tent city\u2019 &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpierce-county-executive-says-funds-better-spent-on-housing-not-a-tent-city-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2319322&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Pierce County Council is expressing frustration over delays in the establishment of \u200ba proposed \u2064$2.5 million \u200chomeless stability site outside\u200b Tacoma. This initiative, funded by \u200bAmerican\u200d Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, aims to\u2064 provide resources and\u2063 services \u2063for those experiencing homelessness to transition into permanent housing. However, complications have \u2064arisen \u2062as the county has struggled to find a suitable\u2063 location for the \u2062site.<\/p>\n<p>In light of these challenges, Pierce County \u200dExecutive Bruce Dammeier has \u2062proposed reallocating \u2063$1.85 million from the stability site to \u2063the Aviva Crossing Project, along with additional funds for homeless services and youth diversion programs. This decision comes after \u2064the Tacoma \u200dHousing Authority identified\u2062 a\u200c significant $11 million increase in\u200c infrastructure costs, \u200bresulting in a funding \u2062gap. Council members have voiced concerns\u2063 that shifting the funds essentially halts \u200dthe planned\u200b stability site for \u200cnow.<\/p>\n<p>Dammeier argues that these \u2062funds would be better utilized for developing more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/brandon-johnson-administration-begins-battle-to-move-immigrants-to-permanent-housing\/\" title=\"Brandon Johnson&#039;s administration launches campaign to relocate immigrants to permanent homes.\">permanent housing solutions<\/a> instead of what he refers to as a &#8220;tent city.&#8221; He emphasizes the importance of initiatives that provide lasting results for individuals facing chronic homelessness. Additionally, he noted that current zoning laws prevent the homeless stability site from being established in \u200dunincorporated Pierce County.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Pierce County executive says funds better spent on housing, not &lsquo;a tent city&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1722157\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; Pierce County councilmembers are frustrated with a proposed shift of funding away from a planned homeless stability site, but the county executive says the funding is better used to build up more stable housing.<\/p>\n<p>The county council originally dedicated $2.5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars toward a homeless stability site outside Tacoma. A low-barrier homeless stability site is a shelter that provides basic amenities and services to help <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/axe-wielding-antifa-group-occupy-hotel-in-olympia-wash\/\" title=\"Axe-wielding Antifa group occupy hotel in Olympia, Wash.\">people experiencing homelessness<\/a> get into permanent housing.<\/p>\n<p>However, the project has not taken off as the county has struggled to find a homeless stability site outside Tacoma.<\/p>\n<p>Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier&rsquo;s office is now proposing shifting $1.85 million from the stability site funding to the Aviva Crossing Project, $635,000 to homeless and housing services, and $140,000 to youth diversion programs as part of its proposed supplemental budget changes. This is due to the project having recently been flagged for $11 million in increased infrastructure costs by the Tacoma Housing Authority.<\/p>\n<p>The agency identified a funding gap of $1.85 million as a result.<\/p>\n<p>Pierce County councilmembers voiced their frustrations with this proposal last month as it all but ends plans for the homeless stability site this year. However, Dammeier argues that the funding is being better utilized in going to a higher priority: stable housing.<\/p>\n<p>Dammeier said his office is focused on programs and initiatives that get results for people experiencing chronic homelessness. In his opinion, the stability site does not do so and instead serves as &ldquo;a tent city&rdquo; as it is currently proposed.<\/p>\n<p>Dammeier added that the homeless stability site cannot be accommodated in unincorporated Pierce County under current code.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I believe we&rsquo;re much better off using that money in different ways. Specifically toward getting more stable housing for people who are trying to get their lives on track,&rdquo; Dammeier said to The Center Square in a phone call.<\/p>\n<p>According to the county, there are currently 1,318 units of shelter and 1,726 beds in various locations across Pierce County. However, the bulk of shelter beds are non-congregate and are located within Tacoma.<\/p>\n<p>Notably, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/u-s-supreme-court-to-hear-challenge-on-homelessness-ordinance-ban\/\" title=\"U.S. Supreme Court to review homelessness ordinance ban\">average utilization rate<\/a> for shelter beds across the county was 73% in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We believe that we have enough temporary shelters,&rdquo; Dammeier said. &ldquo;In 2023, only 73% of our temporary shelter beds were used and we already have programs to bring on 200 additional beds in 2025.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Aviva Crossing Project that would take the majority of the ARPA funding intends to redevelop the James Center in Tacoma into more significant affordable housing, which Dammeier believes is a much more effective way to bring more stable housing online quickly with the $1.85 million in shifted funds. The project would be better situated to break ground later this fall.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>According to the Tacoma Housing Authority, 600 units of housing are planned with the addition of 30,000 square feet of commercial retail space in the planned James Center project.<\/p>\n<p>The Pierce County Council will have to adopt the supplemental budget by Aug. 27.<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1722157\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1722157\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pierce County&#8217;s executive has stated that funds should be allocated towards stable housing rather than a proposed homeless stability site, which has caused frustration among county council members. Initially, the council set aside $2.5 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for a homeless stability site near Tacoma. This type of shelter aims to provide essential services to help individuals experiencing homelessness transition into permanent housing. However, progress on the project has stalled as the county faces challenges in locating a suitable site outside Tacoma.<\/p>\n<p>Now, Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier&#8217;s office is suggesting reallocating $1.85 million from the stability site funding to the Aviva Crossing Project, along with $635,000 for homeless and housing services and $140,000 for youth diversion programs in its proposed budget adjustments. This shift comes after the Tacoma Housing Authority reported an additional $11 million in infrastructure costs for the project and identified a funding shortfall of $1.85 million.<\/p>\n<p>Last month, county council members expressed their dissatisfaction with this proposal as it effectively halts plans for the homeless stability site this year. However, Dammeier contends that these funds would be better spent on more pressing needs like stable housing solutions rather than what he describes as &#8220;a tent city.&#8221; He emphasized that current regulations prevent establishing such a facility in unincorporated Pierce County.<\/p>\n<p>Dammeier believes reallocating these resources will yield better outcomes for those facing chronic homelessness since there are already 1,318 shelter units and 1,726 beds available across Pierce County\u2014most of which are non-congregate shelters located within Tacoma\u2014with an average utilization rate of only 73% in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>The Aviva Crossing Project aims to transform the James Center in Tacoma into significant affordable housing options and is expected to break ground later this fall if approved by August 27th by the Pierce County Council. The plan includes developing 600 housing units alongside 30,000 square feet of commercial retail space according to information from the Tacoma Housing Authority<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2319323,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/California-Homeless-Crisis.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[37199,4344,37198,37196,37197],"class_list":["post-2319322","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-budget-allocation","tag-housing","tag-local-government","tag-pierce-county","tag-tent-city"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/California-Homeless-Crisis.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2319322","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2319322"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2319322\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2319323"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2319322"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2319322"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2319322"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}